Portable machine for applying a short length of tacky adhesive tape



Apnl 26, 1949. K, 1 FRANK; 2,468,619

PORTABLE MACHINE FOR APPLYING A SHORT LENGTH OF TACKY ADHESIVE TAPE Filed DBO. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j lll/111111111111111 1111 lll/1111111111111] April 26, 1949. K. J. FRANKE PORTABLE MACHINE FOR APPLYING A SHORT LENGTH OF TACKY ADHESIVE TAPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15. 1945 5 F 4.. F n d w f 0 Z /3" INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 1949 PORTABLE MACHINE-.FOB APPLYING A SHORT LENGTH F TACKY ADHESIVE v TAPE kan John Franke, unaem'N. J.

Application December 15, 1945, Serial No. 635,398

6 Claims'.

This invention relates to tape dispensing machines-and more particularly to a portable machine adapted to dispense and apply a length of tacky adhesive tape to a surface. T acky adhesive tapes are customarily marketed in roll form, and in the absence of a dispenser of the character hereinafter disclosed, the user unwinds the length of tape desired, cuts it from the roll', and then applies the cut piece to the surface. Such tapes 'are quite strong, tough, and offer considerable resistance .to tearing so that'the operation of using tacky adhesive tapes involves the use of both hands.

'Y Dispensers for tacky adhesive tapes are well known, and consist generally of a small frame,

' Y within which a roll of tape is mounted, and a serrated cutting edge over which the tape is manually drawn, The serrated edge of the frame is usually at least nger width away from the pe` riphery of the roll so that the user may grasp the tapebetween two fingers, pull off the desired length, and with a vcombined twist and rotary motion, effect the severing operation. Machines of that type are however, somewhat difficult to manipulate in that they not only require the use of both hands, but leaves the strip of tape adhering persistently to the users' fingers from which it must be removed and then applied to the sur.- face. A primary aim of the invention is to render available a portable machine that may be loaded with a roll of tape and operated with but one hand. A machine of such character leaves the other hand of the operator free to hold in place the sheet or sheets to which the tape is to be applied.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a portable machine for applying a measured length of tape in which the operation of applying the tape automatically severs a unit length from the strip and applies the cut piece to the surface where it is to be used. As the machine is lifted away from the work surface, the lifting operates mechanism that feeds a strip of tape into position so that on the next operation of the machine a succeeding unit length of the tape is cut from the rolled stock and applied where needed.

- With a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the roll of tape is completely en closed, and the mechanism designed so that the operations of feeding, severing and applying of a strip of tape, are performed without need for the user to touch the tape.

Another problem the invention undertakes t0 solve concerns the feeding or unwinding of the tape from the roll. It is well known that a dry (Cl. 21B-22) tape may be fed lbetween or around rolls and moistened or have a paste applied as it reaches its final effective position. Machines for handling the dry tapes have been in use for some time but are of no use whatsoever as a dispenser for tacky adhesive tapes because a tacky'tape adheres I tenaciously to rolls, guides. etc. or to any surface with which it may come in contact. The present invention aims to .provide a feeding means fox tacky adhesives in which advantage is taken of the adhering characteristics of/the tape. A preferred form of tape'feeding neans for this purpose comprises essentially, a pair of spaced endless belts positioned to underlie the marginal edges of the tape and relatively close to the plane of the surface upon which the tape is to be applied. The adhesive side of the tape is brought into contact with the upper sides of the inner portions of the belts and adheres thereto. As the spaced belts are propelled forward, a section of tape is unwound from the roll and carried to a position underlying a movable plunger and a yieldable severing knife. The plunger width is slightly less than the spacing between the belts and is adapted to pass therebetween. Before the plunger is brought down into engagement with the tape that spans the gap between the belts, the yieldable knife, partly severs a length of the tape from the strip. Further movement of the plunger presses the tape downwardly between the spaced belts and into engagement with the surface to which it is to be applied. The final movement of the plunger dislodges the tape from the belts and completes the severing of the length from the remaining stock. On a retracting movement of the plunger, the belts are advanced a unit distance whereby another length of tape is brought into position for a succeeding application.

Other objects andadvantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various .ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tacky tape dispenserembodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the tape feeding means.

andere Fig. is a vertical sectional view of the device taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the device taken along line 6--6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the dispenser without its cover, illustrating the openings provided for loading the machine with a new roll of tape.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the invention is illustrated as embodied in a portable machine constructed essentially of a pair of parallel side plates I0 and II held a fixed distance apart by a plurality of riveted spacers l2. The lower edges of the side plates are secured to a two-section base plate i3, as by swaged tangsv I4 (Fig. 4) or other suitable means. The side panels are preferably encased by a covering material, such as sheet metal, one section Il thereof being secured to the side panel I0 and the other section I6 being removable. A suitable lid around rolls 45 and 4l respectively, and loops around a driving roll 41. The feed bands are preferably round wires, welded or brazed, to form endless and relatively taught belts which are spaced apart approximately the width of the tape. If desired the several rolls may be grooved slightly at each end to receive and guide the bands.

Medially of the ends of the driving roll 41, a toothed wheel 48a is provided, the teeth 43 of which, are engaged by a reciprocable rack bar 5l carried by and movable with the plunger 20. The

mechanism ineffective to drive on a down stroke joint l1, is provided between the two sections to i hold the lid or cover I6 in place, yet permitting convenient removal for loading. The bottom sections I3 may be covered with a padding I3a.

Between the side plates I0 and II a vertically reciprocable plunger is slidingly supported and guided by cross-pins 2l mounted in the frame and which operate in slots 22 formed in the plunger. The upper end of the plunger, projects from the frame of the machine and carries a pad 23 of molded` rubber or other suitable material, and the lower end is expanded outwardly as of 24 to provide a footing for a resilient tape presser pad 25.

The expanded portions 24 of the plunger are provided with depending ears 26 at either side which serve as retaining means for the presser pad and its backing plate 21. The lower end of the plunger also is provided with a hooked extension t3 to which a retracting spring 29- is connected and operative normally to retract the plunger and retain it in elevated position.

Movable with the plunger 20 and preferably secured thereto, is a yielding severing knife 30. The

` secured to the plunger 20 as by a bolt or rivet 32.

Lateral extensions or ears 33 provided by the knife 33. overextend the sides of the plunger footing 24 and into elongated guide slots 34 formed in each of the side panels I 0 and I I. The ears 33 and slots 3a retain and guide the knife blade in a vertical plane, and the plunger footing 24, limits the dis-y tance the lower edge of the knife may normally project beyond the under side of the presser pad 25.

The side plate I0 carries at its rear central portions, three roll-mounting pins 40, equidistantly spaced, which form an open-sided mandrel adapted to hold and center the core 4I of a roll of tacky tape 42. Forward of the roll and near the base plate I3, tape feeding-band rolls 43, 44,

$5 and 46 are journaled in the side plates I0, II. The band rolls are slightly wider (axially) than the width of the tape and are tracked by endless bands 41 and 48 positioned adjacent their outer ends (Fig. 3). Each band loops around the roll 43 and, in the instant embodiment of the invention, both runs of each band pass under the roll 44, extend across the opening 45a inthe base,

of the plunger but effective as a drive on an upstroke or return stroke of the plunger.A A pawl 5I, positioned at the opposite side of the ratchet wheel 43 serves to lock the driving roll against turning during a down stroke of the plunger and rack bar.

As illustrated by Fig. '1, the side plate I I is provided with a large opening 55 opposite the ends of the pins 40, and a smaller opening 53 in alignment with the plunger 2l and the base opening 45a. These openings provide means for loading and threading the machine with tape preparatory to using the device. A short length of tape is unwound from the roll and placed with its tacky side in contact with the outer periphery of the bands 41 and 4B where they loop the roll 43. The tacky tape adheres, along its edges to the bands and is held thereby out of contact with the periphery of the roll. A few short reciprocations of the plunger propels the upper runs of the bands and the adhering tape, under the roll 44. The ends of the roll 44 are preferably slightly grooved, as at 44a, and flanged as at 44b, to eect a more rm gripping of the margins of the tape to the bands, and to act as guides therefor. When the tape has been fed, by means of the movement imparted to the bands, until its leading end reaches the far side of the opening 45a in the base, a full downward movement of the plunger 20, brings the knife into position to sever the length of tape from the roll. The knife 30, is of a width less than the spacing of the feed bands and passes therebetween, piercing the tape from its upper and nontacky side. If desired the leading edge of the knife may be inclined, as shown by Fig. 6, relative to the plane of the tape to facilitate the piercing and severing operation. Continued downward movement of the plunger, brings the presser pad into engagement with the partially severed section of tape and presses it downwardly between the bands .and through the opening 45a in the base and into engagement with the surface to which it is to be applied. After the knife has severed the tape substantially across its entire width, its further descent is limited by the tongues 33 thereof reaching the ends of the -slots 34 in the side plates. As the presser pad engages the upper side of the tape length spanningthe'opening 45a, and begins to press it downwardlythrough the opening, the marginal edges of the tape are dislodged from the wire bands and the severing of those marginal portions completed.

When the cut section of the tape has been pressed upon the intended surface, the plunger is released and moved to a retracted position by the spring 29. The retracting movement moves the rack bar 5I! upwardly and effects an indexing of the band drive roll a unit distance and a succeeding unit length of tape is drawn, by means of the bands, into position underlying the plunger vand knife. The rack bar 50, as will be understood,

yieldingly slides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 41 on the succeeding down stroke of the plunger 20, and is of a length, relative to the pitch diameter of the feed roll 41, to effect a feed 0f the bands and adhering tape the requisite distance on each full up stroke thereof. Shorter lengths of tape may be severed, and affixed by limiting the upward movement of the plunger to a selected fraction of its normal movement. If desired, a stripper bar 60 may be placed adjacent the feed bands ahead of the knife to prevent unintentional lifting of the tape from the bands on the retracting movement of the knife and plunger.

By arranging the mechanism so that the resetting and tape advancing operations are spring propelled, as herein explained, a safety feature is provided which insures against inadvertent forcing of the mechanism out of adjustment. This is of particular importance in respect to mechanisms adapted to feeding tacky adhesives, such as cellophane tapes that are unwound only with some dilculty. With a device constructed in accordance with this invention, the feed is spring operated and the rate of operation may be adapted to the characteristics of the tape, by properly r tensioning the spring.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States:

l. A tacky tape applying mechanism combining a frame, a plunger reciprocable therein, means for mounting a roll of tacky adhesive tape in said frame in position to be fed under said plunger, feed means for the tape comprising a pair of spaced bands underlying the marginal edges of the tape at the tacky side thereof and to which the said marginal edges of the tape tend normally to adhere, means operative to press the tape on said bands, means to propel said bands to eilect a feeding of the tape to a position underlying said plunger, and a knife operative in synchronism with the movement of the plunger to pierce the tape between the said bands.

2. A device of the class described comprising means to feed and convey a section of tacky tape to an effective position including a pair of parallel bands spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the tape and to which the marginal edges of the tape tend to adhere, means operative to press the tape on the bands. a knife for severing the tape spanning the gap between the bands, and a plunger element movable between the bands and adapted when operated to engage and dislodge the partially severed tape from the bands and to complete the severing operation and to 6 pair of spaced supporting plates one of which is apertured to receive therethrough a roll of adhesive tape, tape feeding and supporting means comprising a pair of spaced bands portions of vwhich underlie the tacky side of the tape and to which the marginal edge portions of the tape tends to adhere, guide rolls journaled between said supporting plates for guiding and supporting said bands, one of said guide rolls being positioned in overlying relation to said bands and forming with the bands a throat through which the tape is adapted to be passed and to be pressed by the guide roll on to said bands, means to propel the said bands about said rolls thereby to advance a length of tape to an effective position, means for severing the tape transverse its length at a zone between the spaced bands, and means for dislodging the severed section of tape from'the bands and for pressing it into contact with a surface.

4. A device of the class described combining a case member adapted to mount therein a supply of tacky adhesive tape, means for conveying a section of tape to an effective position comprising a pair of endless bands, the near edges of said bands being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the width of the tape to be conveyed thereby and a guide roller having a portion of its periphery adjacent said bands adapted to press the tape into adhering relation with the bands, a movable presser member of a transverse width less than the space between the bands as to pass therebetween, a yieldable knife member movable in timed relation with said presser member for severing a section of tape substantially completely from the supply, means operated by the forward movement of said presser member to complete the severing operation and to dislodge the adhering portions of the severed section of tape from said bands and to move the severed section through the space between the bands, and means operative on a retracting movement of the presser member to retract said knife and to propel said bands a preselected distance whereby to position a succeeding length of tape in position to be operated upon said presser member and knife.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which knife stopping means are provided for limiting the movement of said knife to a preselected distance.

6. A device of the class described combining means to feed and convey a section of tacky tape to an effective position comprising a pair of parallel spaced bands positioned as to be engaged by the marginal portions of the tape means comprising a presser roller positioned with its periphery tangent to said bands for pressing the tape onto said bands, guide means for said bands, a pointed knife for severing the tape spanning the gap between the bands, a plunger element movable between the bands in a direction normal to the plane of said bands from a position at one side of the bands to a position at the other side thereof and adapted when operated to engage and dislodge the tape from the bands and to propel the Asection of the tape through the space between the said parallel bands, and means to limit the forward movement ot said knife. V-

KARL JOHN FRANKE.

No refrencescited. 

